Fresh water research will continue at the Experimental Lake Area southeast of Kenora, Ont., following a Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario, the Department of Fisheries, Oceans Canada and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in Winnipeg.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne was joined by Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger in releasing details of the transitional agreement during an announcement at the Lake of Woods Discovery Centre, in Kenora, Ont., Monday. The announcement came a day after the Sept. 1 deadline for DFO funding support for the ELA was scheduled to cease.

Wynne said Ontario is committing $2 million annually over five years pending a long-term agreement with federal and provincial partners to ensure science research continues at the fresh water research facility.

"This is not just about transitional funding but achieving a long term sustainable agreement. We hope to have a final agreement in place by the end of (March 2014)," Wynne said. "Our government believes in science -- and decisions made by paying attention to science -- by continuing with world-class research endeavors here in Northwestern Ontario."

Selinger committed $900,000 in ongoing funding for the IISD to continue the work underway at the Experimental Lakes Area.

Selinger noted the significance of ELA research projects into phosphate nutrification as it relates to Manitoba and Lake Winnipeg algae in particular.

"We need to turn around this process and we can only do that by understanding the problem with a solid understanding of the science to support government decision making," he said. "We can only do that by having these kinds of projects continue."

Wynne referred to the "critical" connection between fresh water research at ELA and the development of the Ring of Fire mineralization zone in Northern Ontario.

"We're not done with discovering how to keep fresh water clean and we're going to need the science," she said. "This is a long term need for Ontario, Canada and the world."

Wynne credited Kenora mayor Dave Canfield as an early champion for the ongoing operation of the ELA when the federal government announced its intention to discontinue funding the research facility last year. She also acknowledged community supporters and the Manitoba government for supporting the Save the ELA initiative.

As Advertised in the Winnipeg SUN

Fresh water research will continue at ELA

Fresh water research will continue at the Experimental Lake Area southeast of Kenora, Ont., following a Memorandum of Understanding between Ontario, the Department of Fisheries, Oceans Canada and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in Winnipeg.

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne was joined by Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger in releasing details of the transitional agreement during an announcement at the Lake of Woods Discovery Centre, in Kenora, Ont., Monday. The announcement came a day after the Sept. 1 deadline for DFO funding support for the ELA was scheduled to cease.